No leak shower system and method

ABSTRACT

A curtain rod includes a first curtain section, a second curtain section, and a transition section. The curtain rod is useful for prevention of leaks while showering which may damage the surrounding area of a bathroom. The shower curtain rod holds two separate shower curtains expressly for this purpose.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/441,964 filed Jan. 3, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of bathroom accessories of existing art and more specifically relates to shower curtains.

RELATED ART

While showering, water can leak around the shower curtain and liner. Excessive water leaks can cause serious-injury if a person slips and falls in the bathroom. Further, these leaks, if left untreated for an extended period, can allow for mold and mildew to form and force individuals to have to excessively clean their bathroom. Even further, water may penetrate the flooring through cracks around the bathtub or shower and cause damage and mold to form in areas that cannot be seen.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,639,919 to Richard E. White relates to a shower curtain holder. The described shower curtain holder comprises a holder for a pair of bathroom shower curtains comprising a pair of flexible seal strips permanently adhered to a bathroom wall and extending downwardly from adjacent the shower curtain rod. A pair of corner blocks permit the strip to be bent and extend across the top of the tub. Each strip has a keyhole slot extending for its entire length. The outer edge of each curtain contains a cord which is pressed into the seal strip slot to make permanent waterproof connections between the outer edges of the curtains and the bathroom walls and tub. An extension provides overlapping of the inner edges of the curtains where they meet to prevent leakage between them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known shower curtains art, the present disclosure provides a novel no leak shower system and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an effective and efficient no leak shower system and method.

A curtain rod is disclosed herein. The curtain rod includes a first curtain section, a second curtain section, and a transition section. The first curtain section may include a first support end and a first extension member; the first end defining a first point on a curtain rod axis, the first extension member extending from the first support end, and is configured to support a first curtain. The second curtain section may include a second support end and a second extension member, the second end defining a second point on the curtain rod axis; the second extension member extending from the second support end, and configured to support a second curtain. The transition section may include a first transition end and a second transition end, the transition section coupled to the first curtain section at the first transition end, opposite the first support end, and further coupled to the second curtain section, opposite the second support end at the second transition end; the first transition end overlapping the second transition end, relative to the curtain rod axis and the transition section may be ‘S’ or ‘Z’ shaped.

The curtain rod may be designed to allow a user to enter the shower/bath stall from the center of the stall instead of the left or right side of the shower/bath stall. The curtain rod may also allow a user to ‘seal’ the left and ride curtain sides to the shower/bath stall walls providing a substantially water-tight seal. The user may open the shower curtains from the center, stepping into the shower/bath stall which may prevent any water from escaping the shower through the left or right sides. Once inside, the user may close the shower curtains toward the center which may prevent water from escaping any section of the shower.

According to another embodiment, a method of using a curtain rod is also disclosed herein. The method includes installing the curtain rod described herein to a shower wall, installing a shower liner to the curtain rod, fastening the shower liner to the shower wall providing an opening to enter the shower in the center of the curtain rod, closing the shower liner to prevent water leakage during use, installing a second shower curtain to a curtain rod and disposing of a shower liner when desired.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a no leak shower system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the curtain rod system during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the curtain rod system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the curtain rod system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the curtain rod system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for the curtain rod system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to shower curtains and more particularly to a no leak shower system as used to minimize leaks while showering which may damage the surrounding area of a bathroom.

Generally, water leaks can cause damage to the floor and wall area in a bathroom because of water that escapes while showering. The shower curtain rod described has a bend in the center so that a person can enter from the center instead of from the sides. The shower curtain rod holds two separate shower curtains expressly for this purpose to provide the desired solution.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of a curtain rod 100.

FIG. 1 shows a curtain rod 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 50, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the curtain rod 100 may be beneficial for use by a user 40 to prevent water from escaping any section of the shower. As illustrated, the curtain rod 100 may include a first curtain section 110, a second curtain section 120, and a transition section 130. The first curtain section 110 may include a first support end 112 and a first extension member 114, the first support end 112 defining a first point on a curtain rod axis, the first extension member 114 extending from the first support end 112, and configured to support a first curtain 10; a second curtain section 120 including a second support end 122 and a second extension member 124, the second support end 122 defining a second point on the curtain rod axis, the second extension member 124 extending from the second support end 122, and configured to support a second curtain 15; a transition section 130 including a first transition end 132 and a second transition end 134, the transition section 130 coupled to the first curtain section 110 at the first transition end 132, opposite the first support end 112, and further coupled to the second curtain section 120, opposite the second support end 112 at the second transition end 134, the first transition end 132 overlapping the second transition end 134, relative to the curtain rod axis.

The first transition end 132 and the second transition end 134 are positioned off of the curtain rod axis, and are positioned on opposite sides of the curtain rod axis. The transition section 130 may be ‘S’ or ‘Z’ shaped 140. The first support end 112 and the second support end 112 may be configured to support a combined weight of the curtain rod 100, the first curtain 10, and the second curtain 15. The curtain rod 100 may further comprise a center extension member 150 (not shown) configured to vary a curtain rod length 102 between the first support end 112 and the second support end 122, relative to the curtain rod axis. The first support end 112 and the second support end 122 may be even further configured to form a friction couple with opposing walls opposite each other relative to the curtain rod axis.

The first support end 112 of the curtain rod 100 may include a first rubber support 116 configured to resist downward slipping when pressed against a first wall 50; wherein the second support end 122 of the curtain rod 100 may include a second rubber support 126 configured to resist downward slipping when pressed against a second wall 55 opposite the first wall 50. The first rubber support 116 may include a first suction cup 118 (not shown), and the second rubber support 126 may include a second suction cup 128 (not shown). The curtain rod 100 may even further comprise the first curtain 10; the second curtain 15; and a shower liner 25. The shower liner 25 may include a left and a right adhesive attachment 142 configured to removably attach to a left wall 35 and a right wall 45 of the shower, respectively. The shower liner 24 may be disposed of when no longer suitable for use.

According to one embodiment, the curtain rod 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the curtain rod 100 may further include a set of instructions 107. The instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the curtain rod 100 such that the curtain rod 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.

FIG. 2 shows the curtain rod 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the curtain rod 100 may include a first curtain section 110, a second curtain section 120, and a transition section 130. The first curtain section 110 may include a first support end 112 and a first extension member 114, the first support end 112 defining a first point on a curtain rod axis, the first extension member 114 extending from the first support end 112, and configured to support a first curtain 10.

The second curtain section 120 may include a second support end 122 and a second extension member 124, the second support end 122 defining a second point on the curtain rod axis, the second extension member 124 extending from the second support end 122, and configured to support a second curtain 15.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the curtain rod 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The curtain rod 100 may be configured to replace a shower curtain rod, and may be water resistant. The curtain rod 100 may include: a first curtain section 110 including a first support end 112 and a first extension member 114, which may be configured to support a first curtain 10. The second curtain section 120 may include a second support end 122 and a second extension member 124, which may be configured to support a second curtain 15. The transition section 130 may include a first transition end 132 and a second transition end 134. The transition section 130 may be coupled to the first curtain section 110 at the first transition end 132, opposite the first support end 112, and further coupled to the second curtain section 120, opposite the second support end 122 at the second transition end 134, the first transition end 132 overlapping the second transition end 134, relative to the curtain rod axis.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the curtain rod 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The curtain rod 100 may further comprise a center extension member 150 (not shown) configured to vary a curtain rod length 102 between the first support end 112 and the second support end 122, relative to the curtain rod axis. The first transition end 132 and the second transition end 134 are positioned off of the curtain rod axis and are positioned on opposite sides of the curtain rod axis. The transition section 130 may be ‘S’ or ‘Z’ shaped 140. The first support end 112 and the second support end 122 may be configured to support a combined weight of the curtain rod 100, the first curtain 10, and the second curtain 15; and wherein the first support end 112 and the second support end 122 may be further configured to form a friction couple with opposing walls opposite each other relative to the curtain rod axis.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for using 500 a curtain rod 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method for using 500 a curtain rod 100 may include one or more components or features of the curtain rod 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method for using 500 a curtain rod 100 may include the steps of: step one 501, installing a curtain rod 100 to a shower wall; step two 502, installing a shower liner 25 to the curtain rod 100; step three 503, fastening the shower liner 25 to the shower wall; step four 504, providing an opening to enter the shower in the center of the curtain rod 100; step five 505, closing the shower liner 25 to prevent water leakage during use; step six 506, installing a second shower curtain 15 to a curtain rod 100; and step seven 507, disposing of a shower liner 25 when desired.

It should be noted that step 507 is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for using a curtain rod 100 are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claim:
 1. A curtain rod (100) comprising: a first curtain section (110) including a first support end (112) and a first extension member (114), said first end defining a first point on a curtain rod axis (99), said first extension member extending from the first support end, and configured to support a first curtain; a second curtain section (130) including a second support end (132) and a second extension member (134), said second end defining a second point on the curtain rod axis, said second extension member extending from the second support end, and configured to support a second curtain; and a transition section (120) including a first transition end (121) and a second transition end (123), the transition section coupled to the first curtain section at the first transition end, opposite the first support end, and further coupled to the second curtain section, opposite the second support end at the second transition end, the first transition end overlapping the second transition end, relative to the curtain rod axis.
 2. The curtain rod of claim 1, wherein the first transition end and the second transition end are positioned off of the curtain rod axis.
 3. The curtain rod of claim 2, wherein the first transition end and the second transition end are positioned on opposite sides of the curtain rod axis.
 4. The curtain rod of claim 1, wherein the transition section is ‘S’ or ‘Z’ shaped.
 5. The curtain rod of claim 1, wherein the first support end and the second support end are configured to support a combined weight of the curtain rod, the first curtain, and the second curtain.
 6. The curtain rod of claim 5, further comprising an extension member configured to vary a curtain rod length between the first support end and the second support end, relative to the curtain rod axis; and wherein the first support end and the second support end are further configured to form a friction couple with opposing walls opposite each other relative to the curtain rod axis.
 7. A shower curtain assembly comprising: a curtain rod configured to replace a shower curtain rod, said curtain rod being water resistant, said curtain rod including: a first curtain section (110) including a first support end (112) and a first extension member (114), said first end defining a first point on a curtain rod axis (99), said first extension member extending from the first support end, and configured to support a first curtain; a second curtain section (130) including a second support end (132) and a second extension member (134), said second end defining a second point on the curtain rod axis, said second extension member extending from the second support end, and configured to support a second curtain; a transition section (120) including a first transition end (121) and a second transition end (123), the transition section coupled to the first curtain section at the first transition end, opposite the first support end, and further coupled to the second curtain section, opposite the second support end at the second transition end, the first transition end overlapping the second transition end, relative to the curtain rod axis.
 8. The shower curtain assembly of claim 7, further comprising an extension member configured to vary a curtain rod length between the first support end and the second support end, relative to the curtain rod axis; and wherein the first transition end and the second transition end are positioned off of the curtain rod axis; wherein the first transition end and the second transition end are positioned on opposite sides of the curtain rod axis; wherein the transition section is ‘S’ or ‘Z’ shaped; wherein the first support end and the second support end are configured to support a combined weight of the curtain rod, the first curtain, and the second curtain; and wherein the first support end and the second support end are further configured to form a friction couple with opposing walls opposite each other relative to the curtain rod axis.
 9. The curtain rod of claim 7, further comprising: the first curtain; and the second curtain.
 10. The curtain rod of claim 8, further comprising a shower liner.
 11. The shower curtain assembly of claim 10, wherein the shower liner includes a left and a right adhesive attachment configured to removably attach to a left wall and a right wall of the shower, respectively.
 12. The shower curtain assembly of claim 11, wherein the shower liner is disposable.
 13. The shower curtain assembly of claim 12, wherein the first support end of the curtain rod includes a first rubber support configured to resist downward slipping when pressed against a first wall; and wherein the second support end of the curtain rod includes a second rubber support configured to resist downward slipping when pressed against a second wall opposite the first wall.
 14. The shower curtain assembly of claim 13, wherein the first rubber support includes a first suction cup, and the second rubber support includes a second suction cup.
 15. The shower curtain assembly of claim 14, further comprising a set of instructions; and wherein the shower curtain assembly is arranged as a kit.
 16. A curtain rod comprising: a first curtain section including a first support end and a first extension member, said first end defining a first point on a curtain rod axis, wherein the first transition end and the second transition end are positioned off of the curtain rod axis, and are even further positioned on opposite sides of the curtain rod axis; said first extension member extending from the first support end, and configured to support a first curtain; the first support end and the second support end are configured to support a combined weight of the curtain rod, the first curtain, and the second curtain; and even further comprises a shower liner; wherein the shower liner includes a left and a right adhesive attachment configured to removably attach to a left wall and a right wall of the shower, respectively, and wherein the shower liner is disposable; a second curtain section including a second support end and a second extension member; said second end defining a second point on the curtain rod axis, said second extension member extending from the second support end, and configured to vary a curtain rod length between the first support end and the second support end, relative to the curtain rod axis; wherein the first support end and the second support end are further configured to form a friction couple with opposing walls opposite each other relative to the curtain rod axis, and configured to support a second curtain; a transition section including a first transition end and a second transition end, the transition section coupled to the first curtain section at the first transition end, opposite the first support end, and further coupled to the second curtain section, opposite the second support end at the second transition end, the first transition end overlapping the second transition end, relative to the curtain rod axis, wherein the transition section is ‘S’ shaped.
 17. A method of using a curtain rod, the method comprising the steps of: installing the curtain rod to a shower wall; installing a shower liner to the curtain rod; fastening the shower liner to the shower wall; providing an opening to enter a shower in a center of the curtain rod; and closing the shower liner to prevent water leakage during use.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of installing a second shower curtain to the curtain rod; disposing of the shower liner when desired. 